The Wheelchair Bound: Well Earned Recognition for DMD

Though sad events take place around the world, it is the many encouraging success stories of how people overcome their circumstances that touch people’s hearts and motivate them to act.

Darius Weems: Inspiring Others

In light of that, we have to give a grand “hats off” to the courageous Darius Weems, a teenager who is wheelchair bound due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and his group of loyal friends who traveled across the country to demonstrate that physical handicap does not mean life stops moving!

His story, and those of many others, is proof and encouragement to the wheelchair community that with resolve and the strength of the community that surrounds you, you can pursue a life that knows no boundaries.

Darius Weems made a 7,000 mile trek across the U.S. in order to personally ask MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” to refurbishment his “ride”- the battered wheelchair he spent each day in and relied upon.  The film follows Darius and his friends on this adventure, showing the hilarious situations they get themselves into, the heartbreaking realities of DMD, and the inspirational firsts he experienced along the way.

Educating Others About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Darius has taken this experience since returning to his home in nearby Athens, Georgia, and used the attention it has garnered to educate people about physical handicap, life in a wheelchair, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  His inspirational feat is a display of courage and determination that resonates with many, and we hope that as people learn about DMD and living with a physical handicap, they will seek to understand and support the wheelchair bound world in a new way.

It is stories like “Darius Goes West” [https://www.dariusgoeswest.org/] that make Van Products proud to be  a part of the wheelchair community, and excited to offer those with physical handicaps or who are wheelchair bound the ability to keep moving. Questions about getting involved in the handicapped community or interest in learning about the wheelchair vans we offer? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you!